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Some More Common African Cichlids

African cichlids are a little different from the other central and south american cichlids,first they love a really high ph at least 7.5 or higher.They sell buffers specially designed for this but the best way to do it is just get some crushed coral and mix it with your gravel. This wil keep your ph at 7.5 or above!African cichlids like clean hard water so filtration is important.Undergravel filters are relatively pointless so it's best to use some kind of hanging filter or trickle filter.The best kind of hanging is probably biowheel or a canister,but a trickle filter works well too.Your filter should filter 5 to 6 times the total gallonage of the tank per hour-30 gallon tank you need at least 150gph-55 gallon tank you need at least 275gph. These fish need lots of cover and not plants,they need rocks to hide in tons of rocks!!!Another thing about these cichlids is they are mouth breeders,this means that the female lays the eggs then picks them up in her mouth.Then chases the male around biting his tail espescially the egg spot on the tail.In doing so she sucks up the sperm he's shooting out and fertilizes the eggs.She then keeps them in her mouth until they're free swimming totally then leaves them to fend for themselves.

Lemon Yellow Labidichromis

Labidichromis Caeruleus(scienific name)is a beautifull fish,one of the brightest yellow fish that's widely available it is an awesome addition to an african tank. Males are generally larger and have more black in there dorsal fin but that doesn't always stand true. These fish can be extremely mean,as a matter of fact,the ones I had could only be kept with red devils because they killed everything else.This does not alway's stand true.

The Zebra

Psuedotropheus Zebra(scientific name)has many color morphs but most of them show latteral stripes "with the exception of this photo"hence the name"zebra" the zebra also has a mottled form or calico form.This fish is widely available and cheap but make sure of what your getting most chain store employees don't know,even though they will act like they do.These are omnivorous and almost always eating.Put one male in with a tank of females to avoid major fighting.

The Auratus

Melanochromis Auratus(scientific name)These are especially cool because they are so easy to tell the difference in sex.This is a female.Black and a little neon blue on a yellow background.The male is yellow and a little neon blue on a black background.This is only in sexually active semi adult fish but it makes it easier to pick a few of each.These also can be very aggressive so watch them closely.

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